People of Action campaigns
From 2017–2019, I supported Belief Agency’s People of Action documentary series for Microsoft—short films profiling individuals using technology to create social impact. Across multiple seasons, I contributed to story development, camera work, on-set production support, and post-production, helping bring human-centered stories to life through thoughtful, narrative-driven filmmaking.
ROLE: Cinematographer & Photographer
CLIENT: Microsoft
YEAR: 2024-2025
Story Support & Development
Assisted with pre-interviews, research, and shaping story beats to guide interviews and on-location narrative capture.
Camera & On-Set Production
Worked as second camera operator and AC/DIT across numerous shoots; served as cinematographer on select films. Supported lighting setup, equipment management, and visual decision-making during interviews and b-roll.
Photography & Editorial Capture
Captured still photography for supplemental campaign assets, behind-the-scenes material, and internal marketing needs.
Post-Production Collaboration
Assisted editors with selects, assemblies, story shaping, and finishing; contributed to pacing, emotional arc, and clarity of message
Easton helps make prosthetic limbs more accessible, especially for one girl, Momo
Eric Rivera, Seattle Chef and Innovator creates unique dining experiences
Urban Artworks, Seattle nonprofit pairing artists with at-risk youth to create murals
Spencer Allen, An Xbox gamer working on making gaming more accessible
ShaoLan created Chineasy a visual model to make learning Chinese more accessible
Additional documentaries that are not viewable online, include:
Team Tactile: A group of MIT students, alongside their mentor Paul, formed Team Tactile to make digital braille devices, that allows users to translate text to braille instantly.
YUWA: Franz in his hometown of Minnesota talks about forming YUWA which uses girls’ team sports as a platform for social development in rural India.
Unified Robotics: We interviewed the family behind Unified Robotics which aims to inspire students with and without intellectual disabilities to consider STEM careers.
Collete Davis: A racecar driver who is driven to popularize STEM for the masses and encourage female empowerment in male dominated industries.
Select Campaigns
Challenges:
Capturing Authentic Stories Quickly
Working with real people—not actors—required sensitivity, fast rapport-building, and the ability to craft emotional narratives from limited time in the field.
Small Crews, Many Hats
The documentary format meant operating as a lean team where camera, lighting, DIT, logistics, and story responsibilities often overlapped day to day.
Dynamic On-Location Environments
Each story introduced new locations, lighting conditions, and logistical considerations—from workshops to community centers to homes—requiring adaptability and resourcefulness.
Aligning Human Stories With a Tech Brand
Balancing authentic personal narratives with Microsoft’s messaging goals, ensuring the emotional impact stayed grounded while supporting brand strategy.
Conclusion:
Across multiple years and dozens of subjects, I contributed to a deeply collaborative documentary initiative that centered real people and meaningful impact.
These projects strengthened my storytelling instincts, sharpened my technical and on-set production skills, and reinforced the importance of empathy, clarity, and adaptability in narrative filmmaking.